Cycling
Travelling on two or three wheels is one of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, which offers some of the UK’s most accessible cycling.
No matter what your cycling experience or interest you'll find a great trail waiting to be ridden, including routes suitable for adaptive bikes, and local hire. Easy-going, gentle and mainly traffic-free cycle routes are a great way for all the family to enjoy the National Park and unwind together, and a great reason to leave the car at home and get some exercise.
The Old Logging Way links Aviemore via Inverdruie to Glenmore, perfect for a family cycle out to Loch an Eilein. The Speyside Way meanders through the countryside through Badenoch and Strathspey, providing a traffic-free route from town to town.
Thanks to the region’s diverse terrain the National Park also provides countless opportunities for those wanting to explore and looking for more adventure. It’s not only the landscape that makes the National Park a great destination for biking, but also the wealth of tracks, paths and trails that delve deep into magnificent woodlands, wind up hillsides and reach deep into remote mountain areas.
For those looking to build or hone their skills, take to local trails or head to the purpose-built mountain bike centres, Bike Glenlivet and Laggan Wolftrax, Plus, there’s no shortage of bike hire, guides and coaching to help you on your way.
If road cycling is more up your street, the Aberdeenshire Ascents brings together ten of the region’s most challenging and rewarding routes, with three of the four big climbs - Glenshee, Gairnshiel and the Lecht - situated in the Cairngorms National Park.
However hard you want to push it, there are opportunities galore to fuel up with cake, coffee (and more!) at the range of cafés, restaurants and pubs you’ll pass along the way. And with numerous local bike shops across the National Park there is plenty of friendly advice on offer and locations to hire bikes. There are also options to try out electric and adaptive bikes, tandems and trikes with specialist providers.
Just remember whether mountain biking, gravel riding or road cycling, always be well prepared and make a day out in the Cairngorms enjoyable for everyone.
Alert
Bike hire in the National Park
From gentle family trails to challenging mountain passes, the Cairngorms is a great choice for cyclists, with local bike hire available
Do The Ride Thing
Learn how to bike responsibly in the National Park, and how to respond in situations you're likely to face in Scotland's outdoors
Relevant alerts
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Tree felling works will be starting on Wednesday 22 October and are expected to continue into early 2026. This will affect the area between the An Slugan track and the mast. There will be timber stacks alongside the An Slugan track, and you may encounter forestry tractors loading timber lorries, for your own safety please follow any site controls and directions.
*Between Monday 27 October and Friday 31 October the An Slugan track will be closed while roadside felling takes place - access for walkers / cyclists will be provided by managed access but be prepared to wait up 20mins while works are paused and you are cleared to pass through*
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The footbridge over the Water of Tanar at Coirebhruach is closed for safety due to bank undermining. This is the bridge on the Mounth Road at the top of Glen Tanar, at the foot of the northern approach to Mount Keen (NO 406 896).
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A short section of the Calder path – part of the Wildcat Trail – has washed away on the trail between the old St Bridget’s chapel cemetery and the Glen Banchor road. There is a diversion into the field above where the trail is closed.
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This trail remains closed following extensive storm damage. Updates - Forestry and Land Scotland.
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The riverside loop on the Seven Bridges Walk, between Bridge of Gairn and the junction near Polhollick Bridge is closed due to a section washing away in flooding. An alternate route is already shown as part of the walk route, please use this alternate high route parallel to the A93 instead.
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The railway level crossing at Dalwhinnie – at the walkers car park NN 633 846 – has been closed by Network Rail. An alternative point to cross the railway is via the underpass to the south at the Ben Alder cottages (NN 634 841). More information.
- Dalwhinnie waymarked walks:
- the Loch Ericht Walk loop is no longer possible due to the level crossing closure
- to reach the start of the Forest Walk and Coachan Wood Viewpoint the above diversion to the railway underpass is required
- Dalwhinnie waymarked walks:
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Significant storm damage and windblown trees from the winter storms – clearance works underway but still many restrictions and path closures.
Check Forest and Land Scotland website for latest updates.
- Glen Doll car park – open
- Waymarked trails – Corrie Fee (Green) trail – open.
- ALL OTHER WAYMARKED TRAILS ARE CLOSED.
South Esk trail (Yellow), White Water Trail (White) Jocks Rd and Dounalt Trail (Blue) are all CLOSED due to windblown trees. - Mountain access routes update – Kilbo path is open, Corrie Fee Path is open, Dounalt Road is open (south side of upper White Water – this is an alternative for Jocks road, which remains closed).
- The Capel Road Track is blocked with trees at OS Grid Ref: NO 2841 7717. This may be bypassed by walking along the forest boundary wall between NO 2834 7763 to NO 2872 7771. Conditions on this alternative route are steep, rocky and rough underfoot.
- Ministers Path – northern branch blocked by fallen trees below Elf Hillock. Alternative to follow southern branch.
Additional information: